Sri Hanuman Jayanti was celebrated at all Sivanandashrams. At Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills, the 108 recitals of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa commenced at 5am and concluded around 12.30pm. This day also marked the culmination of the 41-day recital of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa, a Vrat in which about 300 devotees participated. Havan was at 3pm, followed by Ganga Arati and Satsang at 4pm. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans and Bhajans, a message from Sri Swami Sivananda on the glory of Sri Hanuman, recital of the Sri Hanuman Ashtak and Sri Hanuman Arati.

The Master aptly explained Sri Hanuman’s birth and extolled His virtues, prowess and love for Lord Rama in the message that was read. He said, “Sri Hanuman was born of Anjani from Pavana, the wind God. He was named Hanuman after the name of the city of Hanumpur over which his maternal uncle, Parti Surya ruled. Hanuman's body was hard as a stone. So Anjani named him Vajranga. He is also known by the names "Mahabir" or mightiest hero, (because he exhibited several heroic feats), Balibima and Maruti.

“The world has not yet seen and will not see in future also a mighty hero like Sri Hanuman. During his life he worked wonders and exhibited superhuman feats of strength and valour. He has left behind Him a name which, as long as the world lasts, will continue to wield a great influence over the minds of millions of people”.

Referring to Sri Hanuman’s wisdom and strength, the Master said, “He is one of the seven Chiranjeevis. He was the only learned scholar who knew the nine Vyakaranas. He learnt the Shastras from the sun-God. He was the wisest of the wise, strongest of the strong and bravest of the brave. He was the Shakti of Rudra. He who meditates on Him and repeats His name, attains power, strength, glory, prosperity and success in life. He is worshipped in all parts of India, particularly in Maharashtra.

“He was born at the most auspicious hour of 4am on the most blessed day, Tuesday, of the 8th of the Lunar month, Chait. He had the power to assume any form he liked; to swell his body to an enormous extent and to reduce it to the length of a thumb. His strength was superhuman. He was the terror of Rakshasas. He was well versed in the four Vedas and other sacred books. His valour, wisdom, knowledge of the scriptures and superhuman strength attracted everybody who came near him. He had extraordinary skill in warfare”.

Sri Hanuman’s unconditional loyalty to Lord Rama is matchless, as is explained by Sri Gurudev, “He was the chosen messenger, warrior and servant of Sri Rama. He was the votary and devotee of Lord Rama. Lord Rama was his all in all. He lived to serve Lord Rama. He lived in Lord Rama. He lived for Lord Rama. He was a minister and intimate friend of Sugriva.

“From his very birth he exhibited extraordinary physical strength and worked many miracles. When he was a child, he put the sun into his mouth. All the Gods were very much troubled. They came with folded hands to the Child and humbly entreated Him to release the sun. The Child set free the sun at their request. Hanuman saw Sri Rama for the first time in Kishkindha. Sri Rama and Lakshmana came there in the course of their search of Sita whom Ravana had carried away”.

It is interesting to learn that a Rishi pronounced a curse on Hanuman for his wrong action, that he would remain unconscious of his great strength and prowess until He met Sri Rama and served Him with devotion. As soon as Hanuman beheld Sri Rama, He became conscious of His strength and power.

The profound importance of Sri Hanuman as the votary of supreme dedication, loyalty and of a true Bhakta, is evident in, “When Sri Rama ascended to his supreme abode, Sri Hanuman also wished to follow him. But the Lord asked Him to remain in this world as his representative and attend all the assemblies of men where discourses on His deeds were held and heard and help His devotees in cultivating devotion. He is a Chiranjeevi, one who is ever at hand to assist devotees of the Lord. He is everywhere. He who has eyes and devotion beholds him and receives his blessings. Where Hanuman is, there are Sri Rama and Mother Sita, and wherever Sri Rama and Mother Sita are praised and their deeds recited, there Hanuman is. Glory to Hanuman, the blessed devotee of Sri Rama”.

The Sri Hanuman Ashtak, written by Saint Tulsidas, and Sri Hanuman Arati were beautifully recited. The mellifluous singing, harmonious musical accompaniment and spiritual aura that the renditions radiated, were a marvelous tribute to Sri Hanuman. The recital of the eight verses in praise of Sri Hanuman and invoking of His blessings, is ideal for peace, well-being, protection and bliss. Each verse narrates a specific story or aspect of Sri Hanuman’s prowess and devotion. The Sri Hanuman Arati is a way to express devotion and reverence towards Lord Hanuman, who is our protector and guardian. The renditions were an excellent medium to connect with the Divine, more especially on Sri Hanuman Jayanti.

May the blessings of Lord Rama, Sri Hanuman, Sri Gurudev and Pujya Swamiji be upon us all.

The auspicious Ganga Saptami was celebrated at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills on Saturday, 3 May 2025. Ganga Arati commenced at 4pm followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised readings from the book, Mother Ganga by Sri Swami Sivananda, Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s audio message, Kirtans, Bhajans and a recitation of the Ganga Stotram.

Sri Swami Sivananda says that Ganga Saptami marks the day the sacred waters of the Ganga descended from the heavens. Lord Siva received the Ganga's waters in His matted locks on this day. The Master considered the Ganga to be the most sacred river of India. 

In the reading entitled, “Lord Siva Receives the Ganga”, from the book, Mother Ganga, the Master said, “Again, Bhagiratha sat doing rigorous penance for a full hundred years. It is needless to say that Lord Siva, the Protector of all His devotees, was immensely pleased with the king and readily accepted to check and control Ganga through His matted locks. With surge, fury and foam, Ganga began to descend from the celestial regions. Flashes of lightning, thunders from clouds, and the uncontrollable flow seemed as if a deluge was about to devour the whole world. But Lord Siva coolly received Her in His matted locks and let Her drip over Him. This is the Ganga Saptami Day”.

In the poem, “Gangotri”, the Master exudes love and admiration for the beautiful Gangotri. He said:

GANGOTRI

This is the Himalayas

In the Tehri-Garhwal State.

The Ganga’s source is here.

Ganga flows out of a cow’s mouth.

It is called Gaumukh.

It is actually an ice cave.

The temple contains images of Ganga, Bhagirathi.

Sadhus stay here

And practise meditation.

It is full of spiritual vibrations.

O Mother Bhagirathi, O Ganga,

Thou givest boons to all.

Thou art the remover of all miseries.

Thou art the purifier of all sinners.

Thou art the mistress of this world.

Thou art the nourisher of all.

Prostrations unto Thee, O Mother.

Om Namo Bhagavati Ganga Rani”.

In the following poem, Sri Gurudev refers to Mother Ganga’s divinity, beauty and majestic Aura.

QUEEN OF ALL RIVERS

Queen of all rivers! O Mother Ganga Rani! 

Adorations and prostrations unto Thee, Ganga Rani! 

Always keep me near Thee, Ganga Rani. Thou art very, very dear to me, Ganga Rani. 

I dive in Thee several times Ganga Rani. 

I drink daily Ganga water, Ganga Rani. 

Thou art my very life, Ganga Rani. 

You refresh my heart, Ganga Rani. 

How charming are Thy splashes, Ganga Rani. 

Thy blue colour reminds me always of Lord Krishna, Ganga Rani. 

Thou art a potent germicide, Ganga Rani.

No microbe can live in Thee, Ganga Rani.

This is the laboratory report of scientists, Ganga Rani.

Sadhus and Sannyasins like to live on Thy banks, Ganga Rani. 

Sitting for five minutes on Thy bank gives inspiration and peace, Ganga Rani.

Again and again, salutations unto Thee, O Ganga Rani.

Bless me, guide me, protect me, Ganga Rani”.

Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s audio message focused on the importance of dispassion and obedience. Upon his insistence to visit Sri Gurudev for the first time, the Master agreed. Pujya Swamiji missed his friends back home whilst in Rishikesh. He said to Sri Gurudev that he did not possess qualifications and that he should return home, to which the Master said, “They will come”. Sri Gurudev told Pujya Swamiji to have a cold bath in the Ganga.  The Master was very stern. No one was to follow him, again indicative of his taciturn nature at that time. On Pujya Swamiji’s subsequent visit to the Ashram in Rishikesh, the Master talked and joked more and had the bearing of a grandfather. Sri Gurudev showed immense compassion towards Pujya Swamiji. Pujya Swamiji’s strong conviction and steadfast nature is evident when he was offered a teaching post back home in Estcourt. However, he refused the post as he had made a commitment to take up a post at FOSA Settlement. He recounted Sri Gurudev’s instruction to him to open a branch in South Africa and to do some silent work. His deep contemplation over the instruction, and his strong desire to obey the Master, led him to say, “If it succeeds, it is all your will; if it fails it is all your will”. Pujya Swamiji’s unconditional loyalty, obedience and dedication to the Master’s Mission are overtly evident, as the Society has grown significantly since its humble beginnings in this country.

The mellifluous Ganga Stotram that was beautifully recited, is a sacred hymn praising the Goddess Ganga, the Divine River. “Stotram” is a Sanskrit word meaning “hymn” or “prayer”. It emphasises the river's purity, power, and ability to cleanse and uplift. It is a prayer for spiritual liberation and well-being, praising the river's divine nature and seeking its blessings. The hymn praises Ganga's divine qualities and describes Her as a divine river from heaven, a saviour of the three worlds, pure, and adorned on the head of Lord Siva. The hymn seeks Ganga's blessings, and emphasises spiritual liberation. It is considered powerful and beneficial for reciting or listening and fosters spiritual growth. 

May the blessings of Mother Ganga, Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda be upon us all!